Canada, France, UK Urge Israel to Halt Gaza Operations, Allow Aid
Canada, France, and the UK have united in a joint statement, urging Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza and allow immediate humanitarian aid. The statement, issued amidst escalating tensions, expresses grave concern over the denial of essential assistance to civilians and warns of potential breaches in International Humanitarian Law.
The statement, released by the three nations, condemns Israel's denial of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza as unacceptable. It also expresses concern over the ongoing humanitarian situation and the dispossession of Palestinians through illegal settlements in the West Bank. The countries threaten further concrete actions if Israel does not cease its military offensive and lift restrictions on aid.
The statement calls for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, asserting that these steps, along with a long-term political solution, offer the best hope for ending the crisis and achieving a two-state solution. The countries are committed to recognizing a Palestinian state as a contribution to this end. However, their commitment to a two-state solution is not explicitly linked to the pre-1967 borders.
The statement also opposes any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank, warning of further action, including targeted sanctions, if Israel does not halt these activities. This stance aligns with a previous joint statement issued in May 2025 by several countries, including Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand, which criticized Israeli plans regarding Gaza and implicitly supported actions toward conflict resolution.
In conclusion, the joint statement by Canada, France, and the UK serves as a strong diplomatic response to the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank. While it opposes Israel's military operations and settlement expansion, it also expresses a commitment to a two-state solution and a willingness to work with others to achieve it. The statement serves as a clear message to Israel, urging it to cease its military offensive, lift restrictions on humanitarian aid, and halt illegal settlements.
